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Insulator Grading Standards

The NIA encourages all members to declare any and all damage that would detract from an insulator's appearance and monetary value when compared to a "perfect" insulator. As a reminder, the values given in the Price Guides are for an insulator in VNM condition. An insulator in mint condition may command a premium price above the listed book value. Of course, colour, rarity and desirability all factor into the final value of any insulator. In the end, it is whatever a willing buyer and a willing seller agree upon.

The following descriptive categories are general guidelines, which collectors can use as a starting point for such descriptions, and are furnished in an effort to promote uniformity in grading. The NIA strongly discourages the use of embellished abbreviated descriptions such as "VVVNM+".

Mint (M)
No visible and/or apparent damage.

Very Near Mint (VNM)
Very minor damage which detracts very little from the insulator's appearance.

Near Mint (NM)
Minor damage which detracts from the insulator's appearance.

Fair
Damage that is quite noticeable and affects the desirability of owning the insulator.

Specimen
Major damage to the point where a significant portion of the insulator is missing. A piece that can best serve as an example of a type of insulator.

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